Five players must turn around and attack

(Editor's note: Who doesn't love lists? All year long, High 5 provides a top-five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys' 2024 season.)

One of the biggest criticisms of this year's Dallas Cowboys was the lack of a running game. Dallas ranks last in the league in both rushing yards per game and rushing yards per carry. Last year they were 14^Th in the yards per game category and ranked 9th^Th both 2021 and 2022.

The lack of a ground game has crippled the Cowboys offense in several ways. It has eliminated the threat of play-actions that Dallas has used frequently in the past. Dallas is only active on 18 percent of its passing plays. Their lowest percentage in the next-gen era (since 2016).

However, not all hope is lost. There are 10 games left this season and there are now several players on the roster who can help steer the rushing attack in the right direction by either playing more or playing better. Let's look at the five players who can stop the league's worst rushing attack.

5) Cooper Beebe – There couldn't have been more pressure placed on Beebe to begin his career. Being thrust into the starting role as a rookie at center after a position change isn't easy. Beebe has done a good job early in the season holding his own up front and showing a steady hand on offense. But to effectively run the football, centers can't just stand their ground, they must also serve on the front line of enforcement. Currently, Beebe is probably the fourth-best run blocker on the line of scrimmage, which is to be expected from a rookie. But with a little more growth and experience, he could be number two or three. The way this team runs the ball forward has completely changed.

4) Deuce Vaughn – One element the rushing attack is missing is a creator. Handing off or throwing the ball to a creator can help improve the ground game regardless of the offensive line's style of play. The players who received the most carries have proven that this is not their skill set. Except Deuce Vaughn. He has seven carries and 20 yards rushing this season and just 30 carries in his career. Limited touches lead to limited growth for a developmental back who could have more in the tank than anyone else on the roster. Maybe it's time to use Vaughn in creative new ways and stretch the defense.

3) Luke Schoonmaker – When Luke Schoonmaker was drafted in the second round of 2023, his scouting report touted a blocking skillset fit for the NFL and one that could be gotten behind. Instead, according to Pro Football Focus, he ranks 19th out of 24 total run blockers on the team. That number is the lowest of any tight end and over 63 run-blocking snaps. If the Cowboys offensive line continues to need help from tight ends in the run game, Schoonmaker will need to take his blocking efficiency to the next level. That's why he was a second-round pick.

2) Zack Martin – It's crazy to even type the following words: Zack Martin has to be better. Was he bad? Or liability? Not really. But was he the dominant force he always was and a steady hand for the offensive line? Also no. There was a point in time when Martin was the best run blocker in football, now he finished the year with the worst run block and overall block grade of his career, according to Pro Football Focus. If Martin could improve his game, it could provide renewed confidence on the right side of the line of scrimmage, especially since Terence Steele was also good at blocking.

1) Rico Dowdle – As a team, the Cowboys average 3.4 yards per carry. However, there is only one running back who can boast of having a higher average. Rico Dowdle is the team's leading rusher, but was not treated like the team's leading rusher. The Dallas Cowboys are one of two teams (Browns) that have not given at least 60 carries to at least one player on their roster, while most leading rushers have between 80 and 100 carries. Aside from the Pittsburgh game in Week 5, which qualifies as the best Dallas win of 2024, it looks like Dowdle hasn't had ample opportunity to prove he can win the game on the ground.